Manager, Continuous Improvement & Training VXR

Vital Farms - Current Crew Members•Seymour, IN

About The Position

The Manager, Continuous Improvement & Training plays a foundational role in building and sustaining Lean principles, operational excellence, and workforce capability at Vital Crossroads, our newest manufacturing facility opening in Q1 2027. This role blends hands on continuous improvement leadership with ownership of site training systems; ensuring that Lean thinking, standard work, and skill development are embedded into how the site is built, launched, and operated. As a key partner to Operations, EHS, Quality, People, and Supply Chain leaders, this role shapes both how work gets done and how crew members are trained, developed, and supported. The manager will build a culture where problem solving, learning, coaching, and raising the standards are part of everyday work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence roles
Strong working knowledge of Lean tools (Kaizen, A3, 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping)
Prior experience supervising or leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment
Ability to influence across functions and levels
Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills; comfort using data to drive decisions
Experience building or running training systems, qualification programs, or workforce development initiatives

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Ability to travel up to 50% during the first year for training and ramp up; ~10-15% thereafter

Responsibilities

Lead the deployment of Lean manufacturing principles across operations, warehousing, and support functions
Facilitate kaizen events, value stream mapping, A3 problem solving, and CI workshops
Partner with site leadership to design and sustain standard work, visual management, and performance management systems
Identify waste, variability, and bottlenecks; lead structured improvement efforts tied to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement
Support startup readiness by embedding Lean thinking into equipment layout, workflows, and staffing models
Develop and track CI metrics aligned to site and enterprise goals
Own and continuously improve the site training system, including training matrices, qualification processes, and skill progression
Lead and manage a team of trainers supporting in-line technical and operational training
Assess training and development needs across all roles; recommend and implement improvements to effectiveness
Audit, standardize, and update training materials, job instructions, and learning aids
Partner with CI, Learning & Development, Quality, and Operations to design workplace learning curricula and materials
Provide hands-on coaching in the moment and deliver constructive feedback to crew members at all levels (hourly through leadership)
Mentor and coach leaders and frontline teams in Lean behaviors, problem solving, and continuous improvement mindset
Engage and inspire crew members to identify improvement opportunities and actively participate in CI efforts
Reinforce expectations to ensure safety, quality, sanitation, and food safety procedures are followed without exception
Build internal CI and training capability to reduce reliance on external support over time
Share best practices and align with broader Vital Farms operational excellence initiatives

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave, just to name a few).
Generous retirement contributions: 401(k) + 3% Contribution from Day 1.
Free eggs and butter (yes, really!), along with friends and family discounts.
Fun team SWAG that will make you the talk of the town.
Professional development opportunities and an amazing team dedicated to your growth.

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